Steelers Earn 'Most Improved' Tag in ESPN Offseason Rankings

Pittsburgh's free agency moves and trade acquisitions earn praise from analysts.

Mar. 29, 2026 at 2:43pm

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The Pittsburgh Steelers have been named the 'most improved' team of the NFL offseason by ESPN, with analysts praising the team's free agency signings and trades, particularly the acquisition of wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. from the Indianapolis Colts. The Steelers are under new head coach Mike McCarthy after longtime coach Mike Tomlin's departure, and the team is awaiting a decision on whether star quarterback Aaron Rodgers will join them in 2026.

Why it matters

The Steelers' offseason moves are seen as a positive step in their quest to build a contending team under new leadership. Improving the roster through free agency and trades is crucial for a team looking to build on their AFC North division title in 2025 and make a deeper playoff run.

The details

ESPN analyst Ben Solak highlighted the Steelers' trade for wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. as a particularly savvy move, noting that Pittsburgh was able to acquire a starting-caliber receiver for a late-round pick swap. Solak praised the Steelers' 'unnecessarily early commitment' to Pittman's future by signing him to an extension. The Steelers are also awaiting a decision on whether Aaron Rodgers will join the team in 2026 after spending the last several seasons with the Green Bay Packers.

  • The Steelers won the AFC North division title in the 2025 season.
  • Mike McCarthy replaced Mike Tomlin as the Steelers' head coach in the 2026 offseason.

The players

Michael Pittman Jr.

A wide receiver acquired by the Steelers in a trade with the Indianapolis Colts, who the team signed to an early contract extension.

Aaron Rodgers

The veteran quarterback who is being courted by the Steelers as a potential addition for the 2026 season.

Will Howard

A quarterback drafted by the Steelers in 2025 who could be in line to start if Rodgers does not join the team.

Mike McCarthy

The new head coach of the Steelers, who previously won a Super Bowl with the Green Bay Packers.

Mike Tomlin

The longtime former head coach of the Steelers, who spent nearly 20 years leading the team.

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What they’re saying

“The Steelers signed Pittman to an extension after the trade that guarantees him some money, which was an unnecessarily early commitment to his future on the roster, but a sixth-seventh pick swap for a starting receiver is great business.”

— Ben Solak, ESPN Analyst

“Getting Pittman on the late-round pick swap. The Colts were always going to trade him after they re-signed Alec Pierce, so they didn't have a ton of leverage. And because Pittman is a true possession receiver, he needed to go to a team with a ton of targets to give out. There aren't many such teams. But Pittsburgh is a great fit for him, as he pairs well with DK Metcalf (who is definitely a Steeler in 2026) and Aaron Rodgers (who is probably a Steeler in 2026).”

— Ben Solak, ESPN Analyst

“Great work this year.”

— Ben Solak, ESPN Analyst

What’s next

The Steelers are waiting to see if Aaron Rodgers will return to the team. If Rodgers doesn't come back, the team will be facing some tough decisions about what to do at quarterback, with one option being to start Will Howard, who the team drafted in 2025.

The takeaway

The Steelers' offseason moves, particularly the acquisition of Michael Pittman Jr. and the potential addition of Aaron Rodgers, have earned the team praise as the 'most improved' in the NFL. This reflects the team's efforts to build a contending roster under new head coach Mike McCarthy, as they look to build on their division title and make a deeper playoff run.